Cool vest

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for adjusting the body temperature of a patient comprises a vest receiving at least a portion of the body and head. The vest comprises a frontal opening with adjustable Velcro adhesive for accommodating different patients and two openings for the arms with rubber-tubing coiled between two layers of fabric, one being thermal insulated. The rubber-tubing from the vest will be connected to a pump then connected to a copper-tubing coil inside a cooler to form a closed circuit loop between the rubber-tubing, copper-tubing coil and pump. Water or other liquids will be circulated via pump into vest from copper-tubing coil inside a cooler filled with ice. The vest, pump and copper coil will be portable and there will be two union connectors, two tee connectors, and a manual diverter to enable unit to also be powered via a stationary cooling motor if so desired.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the medical field. More particularly, the invention relates to a device to allow an adjustment of the body temperature of a patient, namely strokes and/or heart attack patients but not exclusively for these types of traumas. The aim is to induce hypothermia to prevent and/or minimize damage via maintaining an adjusted body temperature to help prevent further damage to the human body that has been traumatized due to an accident or illness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of body cooling devices are well known. However, none of the references provided has a vest that cools the head and body simultaneously via coil filled with water or other liquid and is portable with a pump.

The related art is represented by the following patents of interest and applications.

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/603,846 applied on Nov. 22, 2006 by Denise Barbut & Allan Rosezenberg describes a method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300.degree. C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or spray via the nasal and/or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about −20.degree. C. and about 37.degree. C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling. Barbut et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,723 issued on Nov. 23, 2010 by Scott Montain et al describes a method and apparatus for cooling a human being utilizes skin temperature feedback to control the amount of cooling. When the measured skin temperature reaches a preset high temperature, the human being is cooled until the measured skin temperature reaches a preset low temperature, and then cooling of the human being stops. In one embodiment, the preset high temperature is about 35 degrees Centigrade and the present low temperature is about 33 degrees Centigrade. Cooling of the human being resumes whenever the preset high temperature is reached and pauses whenever the preset low temperature is reached to thereby provide intermittent cooling to the human being. The invention is also applicable to heating a human being. Montain et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,624 issued on Nov. 9, 2010 to David Cole describes a combined clothing garment and air-cooling device may include a vest and helmet adopted to removably position about a user's body. The garments may include spaced insulation layers with an internal chamber formed therebetween. A mechanism may be included for selectively introducing air into the internal chamber. The mechanism may include entry ports in the outer layer and an air-intake vent positioned over the entry ports manually toggled open and closed. Another mechanism may be included for cooling the air within the internal chamber and channeling cooled air out. An access panel preferably has windows along its longitudinal length and may be slidably interfitted within the body and linearly displaced open and closed to permit and prohibit air from entering. A cooling agent containing dry ice may be removably contained within internal tubing for lowering air temperature. Cole does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest for lowering body temperature via a rubber-tubing coil filled with water or other liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,318 issued on Sep. 28, 2010 to Chun-Nan Chen describes: A helmet includes a helmet body, and a cooling fan device mounted in the helmet body to introduce an ambient air into the helmet body. The cooling fan device includes a support base, a cooling fan, a battery, and a control switch. Thus, the cooling fan is operated to introduce the ambient air through the vent hole of the helmet body into the helmet body to provide ventilating and radiating effects to a user wearing the helmet body so as to provide a comfortable sensation to the user. Chen does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,304 issued on Aug. 31, 2010 to Dennis Sam Trinh et al describes a non-slip, non-constructive, self-adhesive ice bag device for use with confined patients comprises a flexible, preferably water-impermeable outer cover with an open end that is sealable with a leak-proof closure means, said cover having a layer of adhesive to temporarily attach said cover, when it is filled with the cooling medium, or one or more cooling packs containing the cooling medium, to the inside or the outside of a patient-care fabric that is arranged to be in close contact with an injured area, without slippage, and without the need for a potentially constrictive strapping and/or wrapping means. Trinh et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,461 issued on Aug. 10, 2010 to Robert B. Schock et al describes an apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient comprises an enclosure defining an interrior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein. The enclosure has at least one gusset that is resiliently deformable for accommodating patients of various sizes. A supply conduit fluidly connects an inlet of the enclosure to a reservoir, and a return conduit fluidly connects an outlet of the enclosure to the reservoir. A first coupler joins the supply conduit and the return conduit to the reservoir and a second coupler joins the supply conduit and the return conduit to the enclosure. The reservoir generally comprises a bag and at least a portion of the supply conduit is integral with the bag. Schock et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature. Furthermore, Schock et al uses direct liquid contact to the patient's body to lower the body temperature. The cool vest uses cooling via indirect contact with a rubber-tubing coil.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,949 issued on Aug. 3, 2010 to John D. Dobak, III et al describes a device and method for providing body cooling treating fever. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vein or artery, e.g., the vena cavae, that is then distributed throughout the body. Dobak, III et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature. Furthermore, Dobak, III et al treats fevers in a patient's body through the veins and drains into the heart.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,623 issued on Jul. 20, 2010 to Elizabeth Dzeng et al describes the present invention encompasses a heat exchange catheter for indirect cooling of internal organs, particularly the heart. The heat exchange catheter is inserted into the esophagus and a cooled fluid is circulated within the catheter, cooling the esophagus, and by conduction, the heart. The heat exchange catheter or the invention may be rapidly deployed in the field and is particularly useful for preventing and reducing tissue damage caused by ischemia. Dzeng et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature. Furthermore Dzeng et al's method invades the esophagus via a heat exchange catheter.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,460 issued on Aug. 10, 2010 to Robert Ginsburg et al describes the methods and apparatus for temperature modification of selected body regions including an induced state of local hypothermia of the brain region for neuroprotection. A heat exchange catheter is provided with heat transfer fins projecting or extending outward from the catheter which may be inserted into selected blood vessels or body regions to transfer heat with blood or fluid in the selected blood vessels or body regions to transfer heat with blood or fluid in the selected blood vessels or body regions. Another aspect of the invention further provides methods and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within a blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel to increase or decrease whole body temperature or the temperature of the target region. Feed back from temperature sensors located within the patient's body allow for control of the heat transfer from the catheter to automatically control the temperature of the patient or of the target region within the patient. The apparatus may include a blood channeling sleeve that directs body fluid over a heat exchanger where the body fluid's temperature is altered, and then is discharged out the distal and of the sleeve to a desired location, for example, cooled blood to the brain for neuroprotection. The catheter may be used alone or in conjunction with other heat exchangers to cool one region of a patient's body while heating another. Gingsburg et al does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature. Furthermore Gingsburg et al invades the blood vessels.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,739 issued on Jun. 8, 2010 to Robert B. Schock et al describes an apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient comprises an inflatable mattress defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein. The inflatable mattress is constructed to conduct a heat transfer liquid into direct contact with the portion of the patient's body. The inflatable mattress includes a first zone inflatable to a first pressure and a second zone inflatable to a second pressure greater than the first air pressure. The inflatable mattress in an inflated condition defines a well for receiving the portion of the patient therein. A head positioner positions the patient's head so that the patient's breathing passageway remains out of contact with the heat transfer fluid. A method of adjusting the body temperature of a patient comprises filling the first and second zones, positioning the portion of the patient's body on the mattress, and directing the heat transfer liquid to contact the patient's body. Schock et al uses an inflatable mattress and does not suggest a head and body liquid cooling vest via rubber-tubing coil for lowering body temperature.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to alter the body temperature of a patient to induce hypothermia to prevent and/or limit further trauma to a patient suffering from an accident or illness.

There have been instances of recovery where accidental hypothermia and cardiac arrest have been reported. Since the accidental hypothermia occurred simultaneously or immediately afterwards, has led the medical field to use ice baths and other cooling devices to limit the trauma to the heart and brain due to accidents and illnesses.

This being the case, another object of this invention is to have it portable to quickly apply this cooling therapy at the scene as well as while transporting a patient of an accident or ill patient, thus saving valuable time, which will limit further trauma to the head and/or body.

Yet another object of this invention is to have thermal insulated cloth to better maintain a constant temperature.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cool vest system according to this invention includes a device that can be worn on the head and body during a traumatic health situation that will lower the body temperature to hypothermia thus preventing and/or limiting further trauma to the heart, brain and/or other vital organs. It is a sleeveless head and body thermal insulated garment that is easily fastened with Velcro adhesive that can be adjusted to accommodate different sized humans. It includes a rubber tube closed circuit coil system filled with water or other liquids that will be cooled via an exterior copper-tubing coil submersed in an ice filled cooler and circulated throughout the coiled system via a pump. While circulating cooled liquids around the head and body it will prevent and/or limit the traumatic damage done to vital organs. This pump will be a part of the closed circuit coil system that can be powered via AC, DC or solar power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front outer view of the cool vest with a Velcro adhesive latch about the head and chest and a Velcro adhesive latch down the front in a fastened position;

FIG. 2 is a right side outer view of the cool vest with an opening for an arm and face;

FIG. 3 is a left side outer view of the cool vest with an opening for an arm and face;

FIG. 4 is a backside outer view of the cool vest with two union connectors, two tee connectors, clamps, a manual diverter, a pump, a copper-tubing outlet, a copper-tubing inlet, rubber-tubing, removable cooler top and a cooler;

FIG. 5 is an inside front view of the cool vest with a 2″ strip of Velcro adhesive, two arm openings and a facial opening;

FIG. 6 is an inside view of the cool vest showing a 2″ strip of Velcro adhesive on the right side of the cool vest and an 8″ strip of Velcro adhesive on the left side of the cool vest to enable the cool vest to be adjusted to accommodate the size of the patient, an arm opening and a facial opening;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the internal rubber-tubing coil system of the cool vest with an arm opening and a facial opening, two union connectors, two tee connectors, clamps, a manual diverter, a pump, rubber-tubing, removable cooler top, and a copper-tubing coil in a cross-section view of the cooler;

FIG. 8 is a backside view of the internal rubber-tubing coil system of the cool vest with two union connectors, two tee connectors, clamps, a manual diverter, pump, rubber-tubing, removable cooler top, and a copper-tubing coil in a cross-section view of the cooler.

LIST OF REFERENCED NUMERALS

-   1. Velcro Adhesive Latch -   2. Fastened Velcro Adhesive Strip -   3. Arm Opening -   4. 2″ Velcro Adhesive Strip -   5. 8″ Velcro Adhesive Strip -   6. Facial Opening -   7. Thermal Insulated Cloth -   8. Interior Rubber-Tubing Coil -   9. Rubber-Tubing -   10. Cotton Cloth -   11. Pump -   12. Union Connector -   13. Manual Diverter -   14. Clamp -   15. Removable Cooler Top -   16. Cooler -   17. Copper-Tubing Coil -   18. Copper-Tubing Outlet -   19. Copper-Tubing Inlet -   20. Tee Connector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the outer part of the cool vest will be made of thermal insulated cloth 7 covering the head and body to enable the vest to maintain the desired temperature and a facial opening 6. There will at least be two Velcro adhesive fasteners, one for the head 1 and the other for the body 2 and both may be adjusted to accommodate the size of the patient.

Referring to FIG. 2, shows the cool vest from the outer right side with an arm opening 3 for easy access as well as an opening for the face 6 and thermal insulated cloth 7.

Referring to FIG. 3, shows the cool vest from the outer left side with an arm opening 3 for easy access as well as an opening for the face 6 and thermal insulated cloth 7.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, both figures will have thermal insulated cloth 7 to maintain a desired temperature and the ability for the user to quickly and easily slip into the cool vest.

Referring to FIG. 4, shows the backside outer cool vest connection between the head and body with the thermal insulated cloth 7. The pump 11, copper-tubing inlet 19 and copper-tubing outlet 18 ends are connected to the rubber-tubing 9 with clamps 14 so the vest, copper-tubing coil 17 in cooler 16 with removable top 15 and pump 11 can form a closed circuit loop system. There are two union connectors 12, two tee connectors 20, and a manual diverter 13 to also allow connecting the cool vest to a not shown stationary cooling motor if so desired.

Referring to FIG. 5, shows the front side of the cool vest with a 2″ Velcro adhesive strip 4 that can be attached to another Velcro adhesive strip that will fasten securely. Two arm openings 3, a facial opening 6, inside cotton cloth 10 and thermal insulated cloth 7.

Referring to FIG. 6, shows the right inside part of the cool vest with a 2″ Velcro adhesive strip 4 and a left outside part of the cool vest with an 8″ Velcro adhesive strip 5 which would enable several adjustments of said vest to accommodate several sizes. An arm opening 3, a facial opening 6, cotton cloth 10 on the interior and thermal insulated cloth 7 on the exterior of the cool vest.

Referring to FIG. 7, shows the side internal view of the cool vest interior rubber-tubing coil 8 and rubber-tubing 9 connected to the pump 11, then connected to copper-tubing inlet 19 via rubber-tubing 9 and copper-tubing outlet 18 connected to rubber-tubing 9 and a cross-section view of the copper-tubing coil 17 submersed in a cooler 16 with a removable cooler top 15 and clamps 14 to hold rubber-tubing 9 in place to form a closed circuit loop system. The closed circuit system shows two union connectors 12, two tee connectors 20, and a manual diverter 13 to enable the vest to also be connected to a not shown stationary cooling motor if so desired. FIG. 7 also shows an arm opening 3 and a facial opening 6. The pump 11 will pump cooled water or other liquids through the closed circuit coil system to maintain a desired temperature.

Referring to FIG. 8, shows the interior rubber-tubing coil 8 of the backside of the cool vest on both sides of the back to enable flexibility while maintaining the desired temperature. The cool vest interior rubber-tubing coil 8 and rubber-tubing 9 are shown connected to the pump 11, then connected to the copper-tubing inlet 19 via rubber-tubing 9 and copper-tubing outlet 18 connected to rubber tubing 9 and a cross-section view of the copper-tubing coil 17 submersed in a cooler 16 with a removable cooler top 15 to form a closed circuit loop system. The closed circuit system shows two union connectors 12, two tee connectors 20 and a manual diverter 13 to enable the vest to also be connected to a not shown stationary cooling motor if so desired. The closed circuit system is shown with clamps 14 to hold rubber-tubing 9 in place. The pump 11 will pump cooled water or other liquids through the closed circuit coil system to maintain a desired temperature.

The complete assembly may be fabricated with cotton cloth or other fabric on the inside of the cool vest and thermal cloth on the outer side. Between said cloth or fabric will have rubber-tubing in a closed circuit coil filled with water or other liquids that will be cooled to a desired temperature via a copper-tubing coil submersed in a cooler with ice and circulated via a pump. Furthermore said vest, copper-tubing coil with cooler and pump will be portable and have the ability to function via AC, DC or solar power current. With the invention of the cool vest, many traumatic medical situations that occur after the initial trauma will be limited and/or prevented, thus enabling for a better recovery with much less negative after effects.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be made without departing from the spirits thereof or the scope of the claims which follow. 

1. A method and apparatus for adjusting the body temperature of a patient providing a liquid cooled garment for the head and body comprising; (a) a head and body vest with at least one power source; and (b) has water or other liquid circulated through a rubber-tube coil inserted internally between the thermal insulated cloth and cotton cloth layers of said vest; and (c) has one end of said rubber-tubing coil from said vest connected to the inlet side of said pump and the other end of said rubber-tube coil from said vest connected to outlet of copper-tubing coil with said copper-tubing coil inserted in an ice filled cooler outside of said vest; and (d) has at least one pump connected to the inlet side of said copper-tubing coil via rubber tube; and (e) has at least two union connectors, two tee connectors, and one manual diverter between said pump and said vest; and (f) has at least one clamp for each connection between the rubber-tubing and copper-tubing coil and between rubber-tubing and pump; and (g) is closed circuit between said rubber-tubing coil, said copper-tubing coil and said pump; and (h) has a frontal opening for the body, face and two openings for the arms on said vest; and (i) said vest will be fastened by adjustable Velcro adhesive strips to accommodate various sized humans.
 2. The vest of claim 1, wherein said pump has an inlet and outlet that's connected to said rubber-tubing via clamps to circulate cooled water or other liquids in a closed circuit loop in said vest and said copper-tubing.
 3. The vest of claim 2, wherein water or other liquids will be cooled via ice in said cooler and circulated through said vest and said copper-tubing via said pump.
 4. The vest of claim 3, wherein said pump may be powered via DC, AC or solar power.
 5. The vest of claim 4, wherein said pump will be connected to said rubber-tube coil of said vest via said clamps on the inlet side of said pump and said rubber tube to the outlet side of said pump that's connected to the inlet side of said copper-tubing coil.
 6. The vest of claim 5, wherein inlet side of said copper-tubing coil will be connected to said pump via said rubber tube and said clamps and on the outlet side of said copper-tubing coil will be connected to the said rubber-tubing coil with a clamp to complete said closed circuit loop.
 7. The vest of claim 6, wherein said pump and said copper-tubing coil will be connected to said vest externally.
 8. The vest of claim 7, wherein said vest, said copper-tubing coil submersed in an ice filled cooler and said pump will be portable.
 9. The vest of claim 8, wherein said rubber-tubing between said vest and said pump will have at least two said union connectors, two tee connectors, and one said manual diverter to enable connection to a stationary cooling motor if so desired.
 10. The vest of claim 1, wherein said Velcro adhesive will be adjustable to accommodate different sized humans. 